Behrend Men Hold off Bradford Surge, Come Away With 55-53 Victory
Penn State Behrend
men's basketball chalked up another victory Saturday, February 17 in their
final game of the regular season, over Pitt-Bradford 55-53. Behrend
ends the regular season at 18-6 overall and 16-2 in the AMCC. Bradford
falls to 13-12, and 10-8 in the conference.
The low scoring affair was marked by tough defense at both ends of the floor. Behrend went into the break up by two, 24-22. No player hit double digits by the end of the half, but Kevin Buczynski (Erie/Villa Maria) went in with eight points, three boards, and three blocks. Justin Kovac (Venetia/Peters Township) hit a deep three with seconds remaining but Bradford ran back down the floor to hit a three of their own, keeping the game within two at the half.
In the second half the score continued to stay close, with Behrend maintaining a small lead throughout. The blue and white stretched the lead to six with five minutes remaining but Bradford would close to within two with 23 seconds left. Each team would make one more field goal and the Behrend men would outlast a Bradford comeback 55-53.
Buczynski finished with a game high 20 points, along with seven boards. Kovac would finish with eight points, three rebounds and four assists. Dan Thomas led the way for Bradford with 17 points.
The men now enter the tournament riding back-to-back victories over two of the top teams in the conference. They will have a first-round bye and will face the winner of the Altoona vs. Pitt-Bradford matchup on Friday, February 23. The tournament will be held at top-seeded Lake Erie College.